Magneto-optical recording medium

ABSTRACT

A magneto-optical recording medium includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer respectively made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys which are laminated in this order. The first magnetic layer has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature. The second magnetic layer made of GdFeCo is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is nearly zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature. The third magnetic layer is set such that it has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range of room temperature and its Curie temperature, its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer, and coercive force thereof at room temperature is smaller than the coercive force of the first magnetic layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a magneto-optical recording medium such as an optical disk or an optical card, etc., for use in carrying out at least recording, reproducing or erasing information optically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a magneto-optical recording method is adopted, a recording medium which includes a substrate having formed thereon a magnetic thin film with perpendicular magnetization made of a magnetic substance is employed, and recording and reproducing operations on and from the recording medium are performed in the following manner.

When a recording operation is to be carried out, first, the direction of the magnetization in the recording medium is arranged in one direction (upward or downward) by applying thereto a strong external magnetic field, in order to initialize the recording medium. Next, a laser beam is projected onto a recording area of the recording medium so as to raise a temperature thereof above the vicinity of its Curie temperature or above the vicinity of its compensation temperature. As a result, coercive force (Hc) at the portion becomes zero or substantially zero. In this state, an external magnetic field (bias magnetic field) having an opposite direction to an initializing magnetic field is applied, thereby reversing the magnetization direction. After the projection of the laser beam is stopped, the temperature of the recording medium drops to a room temperature, and thus the reversed magnetization direction is fixed, thereby recording information thermomagnetically.

When a reproducing operation is to be carried out, a linearly polarized laser beam is projected onto the recording medium, and the recorded information is optically read out utilizing an effect that the polarization plane of the reflected light or the transmitted light rotates differently according to the magnetization direction (magnetic Kerr effect or magnetic Faraday effect).

The magneto-optical recording medium designed for the magneto-optical recording method has been viewed with interest as a rewritable high density and large capacity memory device. In order to rewrite on the magneto-optical recording medium, either one of the following methods is required:

(a) initializing through any method;

(b) devising an external magnetic field (bias magnetic field) generation device so as to enable the overwriting operation (rewrite without requiring an erasing operation); and

(c) devising the recording medium so as to enable the overwriting operation.

However, when the method (a) is adopted, either an initialization device is required, or two magnetic heads are required which increase a manufacturing cost. If an rewriting operation is carried out using only one magnetic head, the problem is presented in that a long time is required because a recording operation can be carried out only after carrying out an erasing operation. On the other hand, when the method (b) is adopted, the magnetic head may be crushed as in the case of the magnetic recording.

Thus, the method (c) of devising the recording medium is the most effective method. According to this method, by employing a double-layered exchange coupled film for a recording layer, the overwriting operation is enabled, for example, as disclosed in Jap. Jour. Appl. Phys., Vol. 28 (1989) Suppl. 28--3, pp. 367-370.

The processes for the overwriting operation will be briefly described below. As shown in FIG. 6, in the magneto-optical recording medium composed of a first magnetic layer 9 and a second magnetic layer 10, an initializing magnetic field H_(init) is applied thereto so as to arrange the magnetization in the second magnetic layer 10 in one direction (downward in the figure) in order to initialize the recording medium. An initialization may be carried out whenever an operation is to be carried out or only when a recording operation is to be carried out. In this state, since a coercive force H₁ of the first magnetic layer 9 is greater than the initializing magnetic field H_(init), the direction of the magnetization in the first magnetic layer 9 is not reversed as shown in FIG. 7.

A recording operation is performed by projecting a laser beam which is to be switched between a High level I and a Low level II, while applying a recording magnetic field H_(w).

Here, the High level I and the Low level II are respectively set as follows: when a laser beam of the High level I is projected, both the temperatures of the first magnetic layer 9 and the second magnetic layer 10 are raised to the temperature T_(H) which is in the vicinity of or above the Curie temperatures T₁ and T₂ ; on the other hand, when a laser beam of the Low level II is projected, only the temperature of the first magnetic layer 9 is raised to the temperature T_(L) which is in the vicinity of or above its Curie temperature T₁.

As shown in FIG. 6, when a laser beam of the High level I is projected, the direction of the magnetization in the second magnetic layer 10 is reversed upward by applying thereto the recording magnetic field H_(w). Then, the direction of the magnetization in the first magnetic layer 9 is arranged in the direction of the magnetization in the second magnetic layer 10 by the exchange force exerted on an interface in the process of cooling off. As a result, the direction of the magnetization in the first magnetic layer 9 is arranged upward.

On the other hand, when a laser beam of the Low level II is projected, the direction of the magnetization in the second magnetic layer 10 is not reversed by the recording magnetic field H_(w). As in the case of projecting the laser beam of the High level I, the direction of the magnetization in the first magnetic layer 9 is arranged in the direction of the magnetization in the second magnetic layer 10 in the process of cooling off. As a result, the direction of the magnetization in the first magnetic layer 9 is arranged downward as shown in FIG. 6.

Additionally, the recording magnetic field H_(w) is set significantly smaller than the initializing magnetic field H_(init). The intensity of the laser beam used in reproducing is set significantly lower than the lower level II used in recording.

However, when the above method is adopted, an extremely large initializing magnetic field H_(init) is required because interfacial coupling force exerted between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer 10 is large. If a combination of the first magnetic layer 9 and the second magnetic layer 10 which can make the required initializing magnetic field H_(init) smaller is employed, an overwriting may not be performed.

In order to counteract the above problems, a recording medium having a triplilayer structure wherein an intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer 9 and the second magnetic layer 10 has been proposed in order to make the required initializing magnetic field H_(init) smaller.

For example, the Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 239637/1988 (Tokukaishou 63-239637) discloses an intermediate layer made of a material which has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature. However, when adopting the above intermediate layer, the problem is presented in that the magnetization may not be copied from the second magnetic layer 10 to the first magnetic layer 9 desirably especially at high temperature.

The Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 24801/1990 (Tokukaihei 2-24801) discloses another intermediate layer made of a material which has an in-plane magnetic magnetization at room temperature. Since the first magnetic layer 9 is rare-earth metal rich at room temperature, problems are presented, for example, in that the direction of H_(init) is different from the direction of H_(w) and that initialization may not be carried out desirably.

The Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 22303/1993 (Tokukokuhei 5-22303) discloses still a another intermediate layer which is a magnetic layer having properties that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization as temperature rises. However, when a recording medium including the above intermediate layer is used, although a recording bit can be improved in terms of its stability, the problem is presented in that a desirable reproducing signal quality may not be achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a magneto-optical recording medium which permits an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation.

In order to achieve the above object, a magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention which includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer respectively made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys which are laminated in this order is arranged such that the first magnetic layer has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature. It is further arranged such that the second magnetic layer made of GdFeCo has the following properties: its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer; coercive force thereof at room temperature is nearly zero; and it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature. The third magnetic layer is arranged so as to have the following properties: it has the perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature; its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer; and coercive force thereof at room temperature is smaller than that of the first magnetic layer.

As described, the second magnetic layer made of GdFeCo is set so as to have the following properties: the coercive force thereof at room temperature is nearly zero; and it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature. Therefore, magnetic coupling will not occur between the first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer at room temperature. On the other hand, the magnetic coupling occurs between the first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer at high temperature (a temperature at which recording can be carried out). Thus, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation is permitted. In the above arrangement, since the. Curie temperature of the second magnetic layer is higher than the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer, information recorded on the third magnetic layer is surely copied to the first magnetic layer, thereby permitting a stable recording bit in the overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation.

Furthermore, since the Curie temperature of the second magnetic layer made of GdFeCo is set high, the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer can be set high, thereby achieving an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation which permits a desirable reproducing signal quality.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magneto-optical recording medium whereon information can be recorded at higher density and in which an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation is permitted.

In order to achieve the above object, the above-mentioned magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention is characterized in that a zeroth magnetic layer is formed on the first magnetic layer on the side where the second magnetic layer is not formed. The zeroth magnetic layer is arranged such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the first magnetic layer, and the coercive force thereof at room temperature is nearly zero. The zeroth magnetic layer has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.

According to the above arrangement, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation is permitted. Moreover, in reproducing, when a light beam is projected onto the zeroth magnetic layer, a temperature distribution of the projected portion becomes like a Gaussian distribution. Therefore, only the temperature of the area having a diameter smaller than the light spot diameter can be raised.

As the temperature rises, a transition occurs from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization in the area having a temperature rise. Then, by the exchange coupling force exerted between the zeroth magnetic layer and the first magnetic layer, the direction of the magnetization in the zeroth magnetic layer is arranged in the direction of the magnetization in the first magnetic layer. As the transition occurs from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization in the area having a temperature rise, only the portion having a temperature rise shows polar Kerr effect, thereby reproducing information based on a light reflected from the portion.

When a spot of the light beam is shifted so as to reproduce the next recording bit, the temperature of the previously reproduced portion drops, and thus a transition occurs from the perpendicular magnetization to the in-plane magnetization. Accordingly, in the portion having a temperature drop, the polar Kerr effect is no longer exerted. This indicates that the information in the form of a magnetization direction recorded on the first magnetic layer is masked by the in-plane magnetization in the Zeroth magnetic layer. As a result, interferences by signals from the adjoining bits, which causes a noise and a reduction in the resolution of the reproducing signal, hardly occur, thereby achieving an improvement in the signal quality.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view which shows a schematic configuration of a magneto-optical disk in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing temperature dependencies of coercive force of each magnetic layer in the magneto-optical disk of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing processes for recording on the magneto-optical disk of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing intensities of a laser beam to be projected on the magneto-optical disk of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the schematic configuration of a magneto-optical disk in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 which shows a prior art is an explanatory view showing processes for recording on a magneto-optical disk.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing temperature dependencies of coercive force in each magnetic layer in the magneto-optical disk of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description will discuss an embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, a magneto-optical recording medium is composed of a light transmitting substrate 1 having formed thereon a light transmitting dielectric film 2, a magnetic layer 3 (first magnetic layer), a magnetic layer 4 (second magnetic layer), a magnetic layer 5 (third magnetic layer), a protective layer 6 and an overcoat film 7 which are laminated in this order.

The magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 are respectively made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys.

As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic layer 3 is set such that its Curie temperature (Tc₁) is lower than those of the magnetic layers 4 and 5 and that coercive force (Hc₁) thereof at high temperature is larger than those of the magnetic layers 4 and 5. The magnetic layer 3 has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and the Curie temperature Tc₁.

The magnetic layer 4 is set such that its Curie temperature Tc₂ is higher than the Curie temperature Tc₁ of the magnetic layer 3, its coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature is nearly zero, and that a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.

The magnetic layer 5 is set such that its Curie temperature Tc₃ is higher than the Curie temperature Tc₁ of the magnetic layer 3, its coercive force Hc₃ is smaller than the coercive force Hc₁ of the magnetic layer 3, and that it has the perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range of room temperature and the Curie temperature Tc₃.

When a recording operation is to be carried out on the magneto-optical recording medium having the above arrangement, first, an initialization is carried out. Namely, as shown in FIG. 3, by applying a downward initializing magnetic field (H_(init)), only the magnetization in the magnetic layer 5 is arranged in one direction. FIG. 3 shows a sub-lattice magnetization in the transition metal in the magnetic layer 5 by an arrow, which is so-called rare-earth metal rich where the sub-lattice magnetization in the rare-earth metal is larger than the sub-lattice magnetization of the transition metal.

An initialization may be carried out whenever an operation is to be carried out or only when a recording operation is to be carried out. The coercive force Hc₁ of the magnetic layer 3 is set larger than the initializing magnetic field H_(init), and the magnetic layer 4 has the in-plane magnetization. Therefore, the direction of the magnetization in the magnetic layer 5 is not copied to the magnetic layer 3 through the magnetic layer 4, and thus the magnetization in the magnetic layer 3 is not reversed.

In recording, while a recording magnetic field H_(w) which has the same direction as the initializing magnetic field H_(init) and is significantly smaller than the initializing magnetic field H_(init) is being applied, a laser beam which is to be switched between a High level I and a Low level II is projected as shown in FIG. 4.

The High level I and the Low level II are respectively set as follows: when a laser beam of the High level I is projected, the respective temperatures of the magnetic layers 3 and 5 are raised to the temperature T_(H) which is in the vicinity of or above the respective Curie temperatures Tc₁ and Tc₃ ; and when a laser beam of the Low level II is projected, only the temperature of the magnetic layer 3 is raised to the temperature T_(L) which is in the vicinity of or above T_(C).sbsb.1.

Therefore, when the laser beam of the High level I is projected, the magnetization in the magnetic layer 5 is reversed to an upward direction by the recording magnetic field H_(w). In the process of cooling off, since the magnetic layer 4 also shows the perpendicular magnetization, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 5 is copied to the magnetic layer 4 by an exchange coupling force exerted on an interface. Furthermore, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 4 is copied to the magnetic layer 3. As a result, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 3 is arranged in the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 5 (upward direction).

On the other hand, when the laser beam of Low level II is projected, the magnetization in the magnetic layer 4 is not reversed by the recording magnetic field H_(w). In the process of cooling off, since the magnetic layer 4 has a perpendicular magnetization, the magnetization in the magnetic layer 5 is copied to the magnetic layer 4 by an exchange coupling force exerted on the interface as in the projecting the laser beam of High level. Furthermore, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 4 is copied to the magnetic layer 3. As a result, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 3 is arranged in the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 5 (downward direction).

In the described manner, an overwriting operation can be carried out by projecting the laser beam which to be switched between the High level I and the Low level II.

In reproducing, a laser beam of level III which has a significantly lower intensity that the laser beam used in recording is projected, and the rotation of the polarization plane of a reflected light is detected.

As an example of the magneto-optical recording medium, a magneto-optical disk of the sample #1 is shown below.

In the magneto-optical disk of sample #1, a light transmitting substrate 1 is made of a disk-shaped glass with a diameter of 86 mm, an inner diameter of 15 mm and a thickness of 1.2 mm. Although it is not shown, a guide track for guiding a light beam is formed in a concave-convex shape with a pitch of 1.6 μm, a groove width of 0.8 μm and a land width of 0.8 μm. The track is formed directly on the glass by a reactive ion etching method.

On the surface of the substrate 1 whereon the guide track is formed, AlN with a thickness of 80 nm is formed as a dielectric film 2 by a reactive sputtering method. On the dielectric film 2, a magnetic layer 3 made of DyFeCo with a thickness of 50 nm, a magnetic layer 4 made of GdFeCo with a thickness of 50 nm, a magnetic layer 5 made of GdDyFeCo with a thickness of 50 nm and a protective film 6 made of AlN with a thickness of 80 nm are laminated. Here, the magnetic layer 3 is formed by a simultaneous sputtering using Dy, Fe and Co targets. The magnetic layer 4 is formed by a simultaneous sputtering using Gd, Fe and Co targets. The magnetic layer 5 is formed by a simultaneous sputtering using Gd, Dy, Fe and Co targets.

The sputtering conditions in forming the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 as follows:

ultimate vacuum: 2.0×10⁻⁴ Pa or below

Ar gas pressure: 6.5×10⁻¹ Pa

discharge power: 300 W

The sputting conditions in forming the dielectric film 2 and the protective film 6 are as follows:

ultimate vacuum: 2.0×10⁻⁴ Pa or below

N₂ gas pressure: 3.0×10⁻¹ Pa

discharge power: 800 W

The protective film 6 is coated with an ultraviolet hardening resin layer from acrylate series, and an ultraviolet ray is projected thereon so as to harden it, thereby forming the overcoat film 7.

The magnetic layer 3 which is made of Dy₀.21 (Fe₀.81 Co₀.19)₀.79 and is transition metal rich is set so as to have the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₁ =180° C.; and,

coercive force Hc₁ at room temperature=15 kOe.

The magnetic layer 4 which is made of Gd₀.27 (Fe₀.87 Co₀.13)₀.17 and is rare-earth metal rich is set so as to have the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ =250° C.; and

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe;

The magnetic layer 4 has no compensation point and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 150° C.

The magnetic layer 5 which is made of (Gd₀.40 Dy₀.60)₀.27 (Fe₀.70 Co₀.30)₀.73 and is rare-earth metal rich is set so as to have the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =250° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =200° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature≅0.8 kOe.

Using the magneto-optical disk of the sample #1, recording and reproducing operations were carried out under the following conditions:

H_(init) =1.0 kOe

H_(w) =200 Oe

laser power of High level I (P_(H))=10 mW

laser power of Low level II (P_(L))=4 mW

reproducing laser power of level III (P_(R))=1 mW

recording bit length=1.0 μm.

As a result, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation could be carried out without remaining information, and a signal to noise ratio (C/N)=47 dB was obtained. The duty of the recording pulse was 60%.

For comparison, when the conventional magneto-optical disk having a magnetic layer of double layer structure is used, the initializing magnetic filed H_(init) is required to be set to 3.0 kOe.

When a magneto-optical recording medium including the magnetic layer 4 made of GdDyFeCo was used, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation could be carried out; however, the obtained signal to noise ratio (C/N) was only 44 dB.

The following magneto-optical disks of samples #2-#8 has the same configurations as those of the magneto-optical disk of the sample #1 except the magnetic layer 4.

A magnetic layer 4 of sample #2 which is made of Gd₀.30 (Fe₀.89 Co₀.11)₀.70 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ 240° C.; and

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe.

The magnetic layer 4 has no compensation point, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 150° C.

A magnetic layer 4 of sample #3 which is made of Gd₀.27 (Fe₀.85 Co₀.15)₀.73 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ =275° C., and

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe.

The magnetic layer 4 has no compensation point, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 150° C.

A magnetic layer 4 of sample #4 which is made of Gd₀.25 (Fe₀.78 Co₀.2)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ =300° C.; and

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe.

The magnetic layer 4 has no compensation point, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 100° C.

A magnetic layer 4 of sample #5 which is made of Gd₀.25 (Fe₀.82 Co₀.18)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ =290° C.; and

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe.

The magnetic layer 4 has no compensation point, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 125° C.

The magnetic layer 4 of sample #6 which is made of Gd₀.25 (Fe₀.84 Co₀.16)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ =280° C.;

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe; and

compensation point (T_(comp).spsb.2)=220° C.

The magnetic layer 4 is set such that a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 140° C.

The magnetic layer 4 of sample #7 which is made of Gd₀.25 (Fe₀.60 Co₀.40)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ ≧300° C.;

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe; and

compensation point (T_(comp).spsb.2)=260° C.

The magnetic layer 4 is set such that a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 175° C.

The magnetic layer 4 of sample #8 which is made of Gd₀.23 (Fe₀.60 Co₀.40)₀.77 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₂ 300° C.;

coercive force Hc₂ at room temperature≅0 kOe; and

compensation point (T_(comp).spsb.2)=240° C.

The magnetic layer 4 is set such that a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 125° C.

An overwriting operation without remaining information could be carried out on all of the above samples #2-#8 under the recording conditions shown in Table 1, and a signal to noise ratio (C/N)=47 dB was obtained.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                               Hinit  Hw     P.sub.H                                                                             P.sub.L                                                                             P.sub.R                                                                             recording bit length                                                                      C/N                              Sample                                                                               (kOe)  (Oe)   (mW) (mW) (mW) (μm)    (dB)                             ______________________________________                                         #1    1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #2    1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #3    1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #4    1.0    200    10   3    1    1.0        47                               #5    1.0    200    10   3    1    1.0        47                               #6    1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #7    1.0    200    10   5    1    1.0        47                               #8    1.0    200    10   3    1    1.0        47                               #9    1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #10   1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #11   1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #12   1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #13   1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #14   1.0    300    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #15   1.0    400    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #16   1.0    200    8    3    1    1.0        47                               #17   1.0    500    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #18   2.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #19   2.0    300    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #20   1.0    300    8    3    1    1.0        47                               #21   1.0    400    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #22   1.0    500    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #23   2.5    400    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #24   2.5    500    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #25   2.5    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #26   2.5    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               ______________________________________                                    

The following magneto-optical disks of samples #9-#12 are the same configurations as those the described sample #1 except the magnetic layer 3.

A magnetic layer 3 of sample #9 which is made of Dy₀.21 (Fe₀.84 Co₀.16)₀.79 and is transition metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₁ =170° C.; and

coercive force Hc₁ at room temperature=15 kOe.

A magnetic layer 3 of sample #10 is made of Dy₀.23 (Fe₀.84 Co₀.16)₀.77 which is a compensation composition and has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₁ =150° C.; and

coercive force Hc₁ at room temperature≧20 kOe.

A magnetic layer 3 of sample #11 is made of Dy₀.23 (Fe₀.80 Co₀.20)₀.77 which is a compensation composition and has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₁ =165° C.; and

coercive force Hc₁ at room temperature≧20 kOe.

A magnetic layer 3 of sample #12 is made of Dy₀.19 (Fe₀.84 Co₀.16)₀.81 which is transition metal rich and has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₁ =200° C.; and

coercive force Hc₁ at room temperature=8 kOe.

An overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation could be carried out on all of the above samples #9-#12 without remaining information under the recording conditions shown in Table 1, and a signal to noise ratio (C/N)=47 dB was obtained.

The following magneto-optical disks of samples #13-#26 have the same configurations as those of the described sample #1 except the magnetic layer 5.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #13 which is made of (Gd₀.40 Dy₀.60)₀.25 (Fe₀.70 Co₀.30)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =250° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =200° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.8 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #14 which is made of (Gd₀.42 Dy₀.58)₀.26 (Fe₀.50 Co₀.50)₀.74 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =330° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =210° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.9 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #15 which is made of (Gd₀.42 Dy₀.58)₀.24 (Fe₀.50 Co₀.50)₀.76 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =370° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =170° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.7 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #16 which is made of (Gd₀.42 Dy₀.58)₀.25 (Fe₀.78 Co₀.22)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =210° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp3) =200° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.95 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #17 which is made of (Gd₀.42 Dy₀.58)₀.27 (Fe₀.43 Co₀.57)₀.73 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =290° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp3) =270° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.2 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #18 which is made of (Gd₀.14 Dy₀.86)₀.25 (Fe₀.46 Co₀.54)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =330° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp3) =120° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=1.9 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #19 which is made of (Gd₀.33 Dy₀.67)₀.27 (Fe₀.47 Co₀.53)₀.73 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =350° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp3) =190° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.5 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #20 which is made of (Gd₀.75 Dy₀.25)₀.24 (Fe₀.49 Co₀.51)₀.76 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =370° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =210° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.20 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the Sample #21 which is made of (Gd₀.42 Dy₀.58)₀.27 (Fe₀.40 Co₀.60)₀.73 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =330° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =220° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.30 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #22 which is made of (Gd₀.52 Dy₀.48)₀.25 (Fe₀.48 Co₀.52)₀.75 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =370° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =190° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=0.50 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #23 which is made of Dy₀.29 (Fe₀.70 Co₀.30)₀.71 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =200° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp3) =160° C; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=2.20 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #24 which is made of Dy₀.29 (Fe₀.60 Co₀.40)₀.71 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =370° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =190° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=2.30 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #25 which is made of Dy₀.30 (Fe₀.50 Co₀.50)₀.70 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =250° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =160° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=2.0 kOe.

A magnetic layer 5 of the sample #26 which is made of Dy₀.31 (Fe₀.50 Co₀.50)₀.69 and is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₃ =250° C.;

compensation temperature T_(comp).spsb.3 =150° C.; and

coercive force Hc₃ at room temperature=1.8 kOe.

An overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation could be carried out on all of the above samples #13-#26 without remaining information under the recording conditions shown in Table 1, and a signal to noise ratio (C/N)=47 dB was obtained.

The magneto-optical disk of sample #27 has the same configurations as those of the described sample #1 except that a magnetic layer 4 is 36 nm thick.

An overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation could be carried out on the magneto-optical disk of sample #27 without remaining information under the conditions shown in Table 2. Since the film thickness of the magnetic layer 4 is thinner than that of the sample #1, a recording operation could be carried out using a recording plus with a duty of 40% without trouble. Compared with the sample #1 where the recording pulse with the duty of 60% was used, a recording sensitivity was improved.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                               Hinit  Hw     P.sub.H                                                                             P.sub.L                                                                             P.sub.R                                                                             recording bit length                                                                      C/N                              Sample                                                                               (kOe)  (Oe)   (mW) (mW) (mW) (μm)    (dB)                             ______________________________________                                         #27   1.0    200    10   4    1    1.0        47                               #28   2.0    200    10   4    2    1.0        49                               ______________________________________                                    

The following description will discuss the second embodiment of the present invention in reference to FIG. 5. For convenience, members having the same functions as those shown in figures used in the previous embodiment will be designated by the same codes, and thus the descriptions thereof shall be omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 5, a magneto-optical recording medium of the present embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that a magnetic layer 8 (zeroth magnetic layer) is provided between a dielectric film 2 and a magnetic layer 3.

The magnetic layer 8 is arranged such that its Curie temperature (Tc₀) is higher than that of the magnetic layer 3, and the coercive force (Hc₀) thereof at room temperature is nearly zero. The magnetic layer 8 has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.

As an example of the magneto-optical recording medium, a sample of the magneto-optical disk is shown below:

A magneto-optical disk of sample #28 includes a magnetic layer 8 made of Gd₀.265 (Fe₀.80 Co₀.20)₀.75 with a thickness of 30 nm provided between the dielectric film 2 and the magnetic layer 3 of the previously described sample #1. The magneto-optical disk is formed in the same manner as the magneto-optical disk of sample #1.

The magnetic layer 8 which is rare-earth metal rich has the following properties:

Curie temperature Tc₀ =300° C.; and

coercive force Hc₀ at room temperature≅0 kOe.

The magnetic layer 8 is set such that a transition occurs from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at around 100° C.

An overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation could be carried out on the magneto-optical disk of sample #28 without remaining information under conditions shown in Table 2. The obtained C/N (signal to noise ratio) was 49 dB. Compared with the sample #1 from which the C/N of 47 dB was obtained, a signal quality was significantly improved because a larger Kerr rotation angle was obtained by setting Tc₀ higher than Tc₁.

Moreover, when the magneto-optical disk of the sample #1 was used, the C/N was suddenly dropped as the recording bit length became shorter. On the other hand, when the sample #28 was used, the C/N was not dropped significantly as the recording bit length became shorter. This improvement was achieved from the following reason: since the magnetic layer 8 has the in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization when a laser beam having a reproducing laser power of level III is projected, even in the case of a short recording bit, a reproducing operation can be carried out without being affected from the adjoining recording bit.

In the above preferred first and second embodiments, glass is used as a substrate 1 in the samples #1-#28. However, other than glass, chemically tempered glass may be used. Alternatively, a 2P layered glass substrate in which ultraviolet ray hardening resin film is formed on the glass or chemically tempered glass substrate, polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate. (PMMA), amorphous polyolefin (APO), polystyrene (PS), polybiphenyl chloride (PVC), epoxy, etc., may be used for the substrate 1.

The thickness of AlN (transparent dielectric film 2) is not limited to 80 nm.

The thickness of the transparent dielectric film 2 is determined in considering a so-called Kerr effect enhancement which increases a polar Kerr rotation angle from the readout layer 3 or the magnetic layer 8 utilizing the interference effect of light in reproducing from the magneto-optical disk. In order to make the signal quality (C/N) in reproducing as high as possible, the Kerr rotation angle should be set as large as possible.

A suitable film thickness changes depending on the wavelength of the reproducing light and the refractive index of the transparent dielectric film 2. In the present embodiment, AlN is used as a material for the transparent dielectric film 2, which has the refractive index of 2.0 with respective to the reproducing light with a wavelength of 780 nm. Thus, with the use of AlN with a thickness of 30-120 nm for the dielectric film 2, a large Kerr effect enhancement can be achieved. More preferably, AlN with a thickness of 70-100 nm is used for the transparent dielectric film 2 because the Kerr rotation angle is almost maximized in the above range of the film thickness.

The above explanation has been given through the case of a reproducing light with a wavelength of 780 nm. However, the wavelength of the reproducing light is not limited to this. For example, when a reproducing light with a wavelength of 400 nm which is substantially 1/2 of the above wavelength of 780 nm, the thickness of the transparent dielectric film 2 is preferably set 1/2 of the film thickness when the reproducing light with the wavelength of 780 nm is used.

Additionally, the refractive index of the transparent dielectric film 2 may be changed depending on a material used in the transparent dielectric film 2 or the method used in manufacturing the transparent dielectric film 2. In such a case, the thickness of the transparent dielectric film 2 is adjusted so as to set the refractive index×the film thickness=constant (optical path length).

As can be seen from the above explanation, by making the refractive index of the transparent dielectric film 2 greater, the film thickness of the transparent dielectric film 2 can be made thinner, and the greater enhance effect of the polar Kerr rotation angle can be achieved.

The refractive index of AlN can be changed by changing the ratio of Ar to N₂ (sputtering gas used in sputtering), the gas pressure, etc. In general, AlN has relatively large refractive index of approximately 1.8-2.1, and thus it is a suitable material for the transparent dielectric film 2.

Not only for the enhancement of the Kerr effect, the transparent dielectric film 2 also prevents the oxidization of the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5, or the magnetic layers 8, 3, 4, and 5 made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys as the protective film 6 does.

The magnetic layer made of rare-earth-transition metal alloy is likely to be oxidized, and especially, rare-earth metal alloy is very likely to be oxidized. Therefore, entering of oxygen and moisture from outside must be prevented in order to prevent the deterioration of the properties of the layers.

Therefore, in the samples #1-#28, the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 or the magnetic layers 8, 3, 4 and 5 are sandwiched by the AlN films. Since the AlN film is a nitrogen film which does not include oxygen, its moisture resistance is high.

Additionally, using Al target, a reactive DC (direct current) sputtering may be carried out by introducing N₂ gas or mixed gas of Ar and N₂. In this sputtering method, a faster film forming speed can be achieved compared with the RF (radio frequency) sputtering method.

Other than AlN, the following materials which have large refractive index are suitable for the transparent dielectric film 2: SiN, AlSiN, AlTaN, SiAlON, TiN, TiON, BN, ZnS, TiO₂, BaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃.

Especially, since SiN, AlSiN, AlTiN, TiN, BN and ZnS do not include oxygen, the magneto-optical disk which has an excellent moisture resistance can be achieved.

The respective compositions of DyFeCo used in the magnetic layer 3 and GdDyFeCo used in the magnetic layer 5 are not limited to those shown in the above preferred embodiments. As materials for the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5, an alloy in Which a rare-earth metal of at least one element selecting from the group consisting of Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho and Nd and a transition metal of at least one element selecting from the group consisting of Fe and Co are combined may be used, and the same effect can be achieved.

Furthermore, by adding a small amount of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, V, Nb, Mn, Be, Ni, Ti, Pt, Rh and Cu, the respective resistances to environment of the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 can be improved. Namely, the deterioration of the property of the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 due to the oxidation of the material by the moisture and oxygen being entered can be prevented, thereby ensuring a reliable performance of the magneto-optical disk for a long period of time.

The respective film thicknesses of the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 are determined by the materials used in the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5, the compositions thereof and the thicknesses of other magnetic layers 4 and 5, 3 and 5 or 3 and 4. Specifically, the film thickness of the magnetic layer 3 is preferably set to or above 20 nm, more preferably to or above 30 nm. On the other hand, when the magnetic layer 3 becomes too thick, information recorded on the magnetic layer 5 may not be copied thereto. Thus, it is preferably set to or below 100 nm. The film thickness of the magnetic layer 4 is preferably set to or above 5 nm, more preferably set in a range of 10 nm-50 nm. On the other hand, when the magnetic layer 4 becomes too thick, information recorded on the magnetic layer 5 may not be copied thereto. Thus, it is preferably set to or below 100 nm. The film thickness of the magnetic layer 5 is preferably set to or above 20 nm, more preferably set in a range of 10 nm-50 nm. On the other hand, when the magnetic layer 5 becomes too thick, the recording sensitivity thereof may be lowered. Thus, it is preferably set to or below 200 nm.

The Curie temperature Tc₁ of the magnetic layer 3 is preferably set in a range of 100° C.-250° C. This is because, when Tc₁ is set below 100° C., the C/N value becomes lower than 45 dB which is the lower limit of a range required for a digital recording and reproduction. On the other hand, When the Curie temperature Tc₁ is 250° C. or above, the recording sensitivity is lowered. Additionally, when the coercive force Hc₁ of the magnetic layer 3 at room temperature is set to or below 5 kOe, a part of the magnetic layer 3 may be initialized by Hinit. Thus, the coercive force Hc₁ of the magnetic layer 3 at room temperature is preferably set to or above 5 kOe.

When a temperature at which a transition occurs in the magnetic layer 4 to a perpendicular magnetization is set below 80° C., the magnetization may be copied from the magnetic layer 5 to the magnetic layer 4 or from the magnetic layer 4 to the magnetic layer 3 between room temperature and a temperature at which a laser beam P_(R) is projected. Thus, not only the magnetic layer 5 but also the magnetic layer 3 may be initialized, and if this occurs, a recording operation cannot be carried out. For this reason, the temperature at which a transition occurs in the magnetic layer from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization is preferably set to or above 80° C.

The Curie temperature Tc₂ of the magnetic layer 4 is preferably set higher than the Curie temperature Tc₁ of the magnetic layer 3. This is because, when the the Curie temperature Tc₂ is lower than the Curie temperature Tc₁ of the magnetic layer 3, the magnetization cannot be copied desirably in overwriting by the light intensity modulation.

The Curie temperature Tc₃ of the magnetic layer 5 is preferably set in a range of 150° C.-400° C. This is because, when the Curie temperature Tc₃ is set below 150° C., a difference between P_(L) and P_(R) becomes small, and thus an overwriting by the light intensity modulation may not be carried out desirably. On the other hand, when the Curie temperature Tc₃ is set to or above 400° C., a recording sensitivity is lowered. Hc₃ of the magnetic layer at room temperature is preferably set to or below 3 kOe. This is because when the coercive force Hc₃ of the magnetic layer 5 at room temperature exceeds 3 kOe, an initializing magnetic field Hinit generating device becomes large, and thus it is not preferable.

Additionally, when the Curie temperature Tc₂ of the magnetic layer 4 is preferably set substantially equal to the Curie temperature Tc₃ of the magnetic layer 5 because a margin of an intensity of a laser beam of High level and a margin of an intensity of a laser beam of Low level become large.

The film thickness of AlN (protective film 6) is set to 80 nm in the present embodiment. However, it is not limited to this, and is preferably set in a range of 1 nm-200 nm.

The total thickness of the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 or the magnetic layers 3, 4, 5 and 8 is set above 100 nm in the present embodiment. With this thickness, a light which is incident thereon from the optical pickup is hardly transmitted through the magnetic layers. Therefore, there is no limit for the film thickness of the protective film 6 as long as the oxidization of the magnetic films can be prevented for a long period of time. Therefore, when the material which has low oxidization resistance is used, the film thickness should be made thick; on the other hand, when the material which has high oxidization resistance is used, the film thickness should be made thin.

The thermal conductivity of the protective film 6 as well as the transparent dielectric film 2 affects the recording sensitivity of the magneto-optical disk. Specifically, the recording sensitivity represents the laser power required for recording or erasing. The light incident on the magneto/optical disk is mainly transmitted through the transparent dielectric film 2. Then, it is absorbed by the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 which are absorbing films, and changes into heat. Here, heat generated from the magnetic layers 3, 4 and 5 moves onto the transparent dielectric film 2 and the protective film 6 by the conduction of heat. Therefore, the respective thermal conductivities and the thermal capacities (specific heat) of the transparent dielectric film 2 and the protective film 6 affect the recording sensitivity.

This means that the recording sensitivity of the magneto-optical disk can be controlled to some extent by adjusting the film thickness of the protective film 6. For example, by making the film thickness of the protective film 6 thinner, the recording sensitivity can be increased (a recording or erasing operation can be carried out with low laser power). Normally, in order to extend the life of the laser, it is preferable to have relatively high recording sensitivity, and thus the thinner protective film 6 is preferable.

In this sense also, AlN is a suitable material. Because of its excellent moisture resistance, by adapting it to the protective film 6, the magneto-optical disk which ensures a high recording sensitivity can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, AlN is used both in the protective film 6 and the transparent dielectric film 2. Therefore, the magneto-optical disk of the present invention has an excellent moisture resistance. Moreover, since the same material is used for the transparent dielectric film 2 and the protective film 6, the productivity of the magneto-optical disk can be improved.

In considering the above objective and effect, other than AlN, the following materials which can be used also as materials for the transparent dielectric film 2 are suitable for the protective film 6: SiN, AlSiN, AlTaN, SiAlON, TiN, TiON, BN, ZnS, TiO₂, BaTiO₃ and SrTiO₃.

Especially, when SiN, AlSiN, AlTaN, TiN, BN or ZnS which does not include oxygen is used, a magneto-optical disk which has an excellent moisture resistance can be achieved.

The magneto-optical disks of the samples #1-#28 are so called single sided type. A thin film composed of the transparent dielectric film 2, the magnetic films 3-5 (or magnetic films 3-5 and 8) and the protective film 6 is hereinafter referred to as a recording medium layer. The magneto-optical disk of the single sided type is composed of the substrate 1, the recording medium layer and the overcoat film 7.

On the other hand, the magneto-optical disk of a both-sided type is arranged such that a pair of the substrates 1 whereon the recording medium layers are respectively laminated by an adhesive layer are provided so that respective recording medium layers confront one another.

As to the material for the adhesive layer, especially, polyurethane acrylate adhesive layer is preferable. The above adhesive layer is provided with a combination of the hardening properties obtained by ultraviolet ray, heat and anaerobic. Therefore, this adhesive layer has an advantage that the shadow portion of the recording medium layer through which the ultraviolet ray is not transmitted can be hardened by heat and anaerobic. Moreover, because of its high moisture resistance, a reliable performance of the magneto-optical disk of double-sided type can be ensured for a long period of time.

On the other hand, the magneto-optical disk of a single-sided type is suitable for a compact magneto-optical recording and reproducing device because the required thickness is as thin as 1/2 of that required for the both-sided magneto-optical disk.

The magneto-optical disk of a double-sided type is suitable for the large capacity magneto-optical recording and reproducing device because both sides can be used for recording and reproducing.

In the above preferred embodiments, explanations have been given through the case of the magneto-optical disk as a magneto-optical recording medium. However, magneto-optical card, magneto-optical tape, etc. may be equally adapted.

As described, the first magneto-optical recording medium in accordance with the present invention is arranged so as to include the magnetic layer 3, the magnetic layer 4 and the magnetic layer 5 respectively made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys which are laminated in this order. The magnetic layer 3 has the perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and Curie temperature. The magnetic layer 4 made of GdFeCo is arranged so as to have the following properties: its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3; coercive thereof at room temperature is nearly zero; and it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization when a temperature a thereof is raised to a predetermined temperature. The magnetic layer 5 is arranged so as to have the following properties: it has an in-plane magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature, the Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3, and coercive force thereof at room temperature is smaller than that of the magnetic layer 3.

According to the above arrangement, a magnetic coupling between the magnetic layer 3 and the magnetic layer 5 will not occur at room temperature. On the other hand, at high temperature at which a recording operation can be carried out, the magnetic coupling between the magnetic layers 3 and 5 occurs. Thus, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation can be carried out. In the above arrangement, since the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 4 is higher than the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3, information recorded on the magnetic layer 5 is surely copied to the magnetic layer 3, thereby permitting a stable recording bit in the overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation.

The second magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention having the configuration of the first magneto-optical recording medium is arranged as follows: the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3 is in a range of 100° C.-250° C., and the coercive force of the magnetic layer 3 at room temperature is set to or above 5 kOe; a transition occurs in the magnetic layer 4 from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at above 80° C.; and the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 5 is set in a range of 150° C.-400° C., and the coercive force of the magnetic layer 5 at room temperature is set to or below 3 kOe.

According to the above arrangement, the magnetic coupling occurs between the magnetic layer 3 and the magnetic layer 5 at above 80° C., and information recorded on the magnetic layer 5 is copied to the magnetic layer 3. Additionally, the initializing magnetic field is set to or below 3 kOe.

The third magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention having the configuration of the second magneto-optical recording medium is arranged such that the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 4 is set substantially equal to the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 5.

According to the above arrangement, a recording operation on the magnetic layer 5 can be carried out smoothly.

The fourth magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention having the configuration of the third magneto-optical recording medium is arranged as follows: the composition of the magnetic layer 3 is set to be transition metal rich or to be a compensation composition at room temperature; and the composition of the magnetic layer 4 is set such that it is rare-earth metal rich at room temperature. The composition of the magnetic layer 5 is set such that it is rare-earth metal rich at room temperature, and the compensation temperature falls within a range of 100° C.-300° C.

According to the above arrangement, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 5 is determined by the rare-earth metal between room temperature and the compensation point, whereas, it is determined by the transition metal in a range between the compensation point and the Curie point. Namely, since the magnetization direction recorded at high temperature is reversed at room temperature, the recorded magnetization can be arranged in the direction of the initializing magnetic field.

The fifth magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention having the configuration of the first, second, third or fourth magneto-optical recording medium is arranged such that the magnetic layer 3 is made of DyFeCo; and the magnetic layer 5 is made of GdDyFeCo or DyFeCo.

According to the above arrangement, the coercive force and the magnetization direction at room temperature can be determined by the composition of the rare-earth metal, and the Curie temperature and the compensation temperature can be determined by the ratio of Fe to Co.

The sixth magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention having the configuration of the first, second, third or forth magneto-optical recording medium is arranged such that the magnetic layer 3 is made of Dy_(a) (Fe_(b) Co_(1-b))_(1-a), the magnetic layer 4 is made of Gd_(c) (Fe_(d) Co_(1-d))_(1-c), and the magnetic layer 5 is made of (Gd_(e) Dy_(1-e))_(g) (Fe_(f) Co_(1-f))_(1-g) or D_(Yh) (Fe_(i) Co_(1-i))_(1-h) wherein a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h and i are respectively satisfy the following inequalities:

0.18≦a≦0.25; 0.70≦b≦0.90; 0.20≦c≦0.35; 0.50≦d≦0.90; 0.10≦e≦0.80; 0.30≦f≦0.80; 0.23≦g≦0.30; 0.28≦h≦0.33; and 0.50≦i≦0.75.

According to the above arrangement, a recording operation is permitted by projecting a laser beam having an appropriate laser power and by applying appropriate initializing magnetic field and recording magnetic field. Moreover, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation with a desirable reproducing signal quality can be achieved.

The seventh magneto-optical recording medium of the resent invention having the configuration of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth magneto-optical recording medium is arranged such that the magnetic layer 3 has a thickness in a range of 20 nm-100 nm, the magnetic layer 4 has a thickness in a range of 5 nm-50 nm; and the magnetic layer 5 has a thickness in a range of 20 nm-200

According to the above arrangement, a recording operation is permitted by projecting a laser beam of an appropriate laser power and by applying appropriate initializing magnetic field and recording magnetic field. Moreover, the quality of the reproducing signal, required for digital recording, can be ensured.

The eighth magneto-optical recording medium of the present invention having the configuration of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh magneto-optical recording medium is arranged such that the magnetic layer 8 is formed on the third magnetic layer on the side where the magnetic layer 4 is not formed. The magnetic layer 8 is set so as to have the following properties: its Curie temperature is higher than that of the magnetic layer 3; coercive force thereof at room temperature is nearly zero; and it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature. Here, the predetermined temperature is defined as a temperature of the magneto-optical recording medium when it is heated by projecting a laser beam of the level III.

According to the above arrangement, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation is permitted. Moreover, in reproducing, when a light beam is projected onto the magnetic layer 8, the temperature distribution of the portion becomes like a Gaussian distribution, and thus only the temperature of the central portion which is smaller than the light beam diameter is raised.

As the temperature rises, a transition occurs in the light projected portion from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization. Here, by the exchange coupling force exerted between the magnetic layer 8 and the magnetic layer 3, the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 8 is arranged in the magnetization direction in the magnetic layer 3. When a transition occurs from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization in the portion having a temperature rise, a polar Kerr effect is shown only in the portion, thereby reproducing information based on the light reflected therefrom.

When a light beam is shifted so as to reproduce the next recording bit, the temperature of the previously reproduced potion is cooled off, and thus a transition occurs from the perpendicular magnetization to the in-plane magnetization in the portion and the polar Kerr effect is no longer shown in the portion. This means that the magnetization recorded on the magnetic layer 3 is not readout by being masked by the in-plane magnetization in the magnetic layer 8. Therefore, information is no longer reproduced from the spot having a temperature drop and thus interferences by signals from adjoining bits, which generate a noise and reduce a resolution in reproducing, can be eliminated.

As described, in the above arrangement, only the portion having a temperature rise above a predetermined temperature can be made subject to reproduction. Therefore, the reproduction of a smaller recording bit is enabled compared with the conventional model, thereby permitting a significant improvement in the recording density.

As described, the ninth magneto-optical recording medium in accordance with the present invention is arranged so as to include the magnetic layer 3, the magnetic layer 4 and the magnetic layer 5 respectively made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys which are laminated in this order. The magnetic layer 3 has the perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and Curie temperature. The magnetic layer 4 is arranged so as to have the following properties: its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3; coercive thereof at room temperature is nearly zero; and it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization when a temperature a thereof is raised to a predetermined temperature. The magnetic layer 5 is arranged so as to have the following properties: it has an in-plane magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature, the Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3, and coercive force thereof at room temperature is smaller than that of the magnetic layer 3. Here, the predetermined temperature is defined as a temperature of the magneto-optical recording medium when it is heated by projecting a laser beam of the Low level II.

According to the above arrangement, a magnetic coupling between the magnetic layer 3 and the magnetic layer 5 will not occur at room temperature. On the other hand, at high temperature at which a recording operation can be carried out, the magnetic coupling between the magnetic layers 3 and 5 occurs. Thus, an overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation can be carried out. In the above arrangement, since the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 4 is higher than the Curie temperature of the magnetic layer 3, information recorded on the magnetic layer 5 is surely copied to the magnetic layer 3, thereby permitting a stable recording bit in the overwriting operation by the light intensity modulation.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magneto-optical recording medium comprising a first magnetic layer formed on a substrate, a second magnetic layer formed over said first magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer formed over said second magnetic layer, said magnetic layers made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys, wherein:said first magnetic layer has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature; said second magnetic layer made of GdFeCo is structured such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature; and said third magnetic layer is structured such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer and lower than the Curie temperature of said second magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is smaller than the coercive force of said first magnetic layer, and that it has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature.
 2. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein:the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer is set in a range between 100° C. and 250° C., and the coercive force thereof at room temperature is greater than or equal to 5 kOe; said second magnetic layer is set such that a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to the perpendicular magnetization at above 80° C.; and said third magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is in a range between 150° C. and 400° C., and the coercive force thereof at room temperature is set to or below 3 kOe.
 3. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 2, wherein:a composition of said first magnetic layer is set to be transition-metal rich or a compensation composition at room temperature; a composition of said second magnetic layer is set to be rare-earth metal rich at room temperature; and a composition of said third magnetic layer is set to be rare-earth metal rich at room temperature and to have its compensation temperature in a range between 100° C. and 300° C.
 4. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, wherein:said first magnetic layer is made of DyFeCo; and said third magnetic layer is made of GdDyFeCo or DyFeCo.
 5. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3 wherein:said first magnetic layer is made of Dy_(a) (Fe_(b) Co_(1-b))_(1-a) ; said second magnetic layer is made of Gd_(c) (Fe_(d) Co_(1-d))_(1-c) ; and said third magnetic layer is made of (Gd_(e) Dy_(1-e))_(g) (Fe_(f) Co_(1-f))_(1-g) or D_(yh) (Fe_(i) Co_(1-i))_(1-h), said a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h and i respectively satisfying the following inequalities:0.18≦a≦0.25; 0.70≦b≦0.90; 0.20≦c≦0.35; 0.50≦d≦0.90; 0.10≦e≦0.80; 0.30≦f≦0.80; 0.23≦g≦0.30; 0.28≦h≦0.33; and 0.50≦i≦0.75.
 6. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, wherein:said first magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 20 nm and 100 nm; said second magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 5 nm and 50 nm; and said third magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 20 nm and 200 nm.
 7. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 4, wherein:said first magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 20 nm and 100 nm; said second magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 5 nm and 50 nm; and said third magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 20 nm and 200 nm.
 8. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 5, wherein:said first magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 20 nm and 100 nm; said second magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 5 nm and 50 nm; and said third magnetic layer has a film thickness in a range between 20 nm and 200 nm.
 9. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.
 10. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 4, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.
 11. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.
 12. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.
 13. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.
 14. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is set such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature.
 15. A magneto-optical recording medium comprising a first magnetic layer formed on a substrate, a second magnetic layer formed over said first magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer formed over said second magnetic layer, said magnetic layers made of rare-earth-transition metal alloys, wherein:said first magnetic layer has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature; said second magnetic layer is structured such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization at above a predetermined temperature; and said third magnetic layer is structured such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer and lower than the Curie temperature of said second magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is smaller than the coercive force of said first magnetic layer, and that it has a perpendicular magnetization in a temperature range between room temperature and its Curie temperature.
 16. A magneto-optical recording medium, comprising a first magnetic layer formed directly over a substrate, a second magnetic layer formed over said first magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer formed over said second magnetic layer;wherein said second magnetic layer has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature, and has a perpendicular magnetization at temperatures above room temperature, and a Curie temperature of said second magnetic layer is greater than a Curie temperature of said third magnetic layer.
 17. A magneto-optical recording medium, comprising a first magnetic layer formed directly over a substrate, a second magnetic layer formed over said first magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer formed over said second magnetic layer;wherein a Curie temperature of said second magnetic layer is greater than a Curie temperature of said third magnetic layer.
 18. The magneto-optical recording medium as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a zeroth magnetic layer formed on said first magnetic layer on a side where said second magnetic layer is not formed, wherein:said zeroth magnetic layer is structured such that its Curie temperature is higher than the Curie temperature of said first magnetic layer, coercive force thereof at room temperature is substantially zero, and that it has an in-plane magnetization at room temperature and a transition occurs therein from the in-plane magnetization to a perpendicular magnetization above a predetermined temperature. 